Apparatus for processing logs and the like



J. RAUTNIG 2,713,365

APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING LOGS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheecs$heet 1 July 19, 1955 Filed May 21, 1953 IAKEWTOP oseF RAUTN/G- BY:

APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING LOGS AND THE LIKE Filed May 21 1953 5 Sheets$heet 2 July 19, 1955 J. RAUTNIG APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING LOGS AND THE} LIKE 5 SheetsSheet 3 Filed May 21, 1955 m m r w TosE RAUT/l/G- United States Patent APPARATUS FSR PROCESSING LOGS AND THE LIKE Josef Rautnig, Mannheimandhofen, Germany Application May 21, 1953, Serial No. 356,365

Claims priority, application Germany- June 24, 1952 27 Claims. (Cl. 144-2tl8) The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing logs and the like.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for removing bark and bast from logs.

Known apparatus of this type are exceedingly complicated and unreliable in operation. structures it often happens that a considerable part of the wood beneath the bark is removed with the latter, and if the known structures are capable of preventing this undesirable result, they are of an extremely complicated construction requiring a very complex adjusting mechanism to accommodate logs of different sizes. One type of known apparatus for decorticating logs includes a plurality of flexible members which beat against the logs to remove the bark therefrom.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an exceedingly simple apparatus of this latter type which is capable of removing the bark without any loss of wood and with the use of a relatively small amount of energy.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which has a high output.

Another object of the present invention is to arrange the members which strike against the log in such a way that they rotate and feed the log along its length.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a simple means for adjusting the apparatus.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a means for guiding the log between the members which strike the same.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a structure for adjusting this guide means so as to accommodate logs of different sizes.

With the above objects in view, the present invention mainly consists of an apparatus for processing logs and the like, this apparatus including a first support means located about a predetermined axis and having an end face located in a plane normal to this axis. A first shaft is mounted for rotation about its axis on this first support means, and the first shaft axis is normal to said predetermined axis. A plurality of first flexible members are each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of the first shaft, and these flexible members are distributed over the first shaft. A first drive means is mounted on the first support means and is operatively connected to the first shaft for rotating the latter about With many known 2 its axis. A second support means is also located about said predetermined axis and has an end face engaging the end face of the first support means, at least one of these support means being adjustably movable about the predetermined axis with respect to the other of these support means. A second shaft is mounted for rotation about its axis on the second support means, is spaced from the first shaft, and crosses the latter at a predetermined angle. A plurality of second flexible members are each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of the second shaft, these second flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of the second shaft.

second drive means is mounted on the second support means and is operatively connected to the second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis. The first and second support means may be adjusted to adjust the position of the shafts with respect to each other. A guide means is mounted on one of the support means for guiding a log between the shafts and along a line substantially bisecting the angle therebetween.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a schematic top plan view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and having a log located therein;

Fig. 2 is a schematic elevational view of the structure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partly sectional elevational view of an actual machine constructed in accordance with the present invention taken along line 33 of Figure 4 in the direction of the arrows, and the wheels which support the structure being omitted from Figure 3;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a partly sectional, partly diagrammatic top plan view of a different embodiment of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the structure of Fig. 5.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, it will be seen that the apparatus of the invention includes a pair of shafts 5 and 16 which are mounted for rotation about their axes, respectively. A plurality of elongated flexible members 7 are fixed to each of these shafts, and the members 7 may be in the form of individual lengths of chain, cable, or the like, the outer ends of these flexible members being adapted to strike against the outer surface of a log to remove the bark therefrom.

The several chains 7 or the like are each fixed at one end to the outer surface of the shaft 5 or 16 to which it is connected, and these chains are arranged on each shaft along a helical line extending about the outer surface of each shaft, as is most clearly shown in Fig. 2. The ends of the several flexible members 7 are located very close to each other along the helical line passing about each shaft so that there is very little if any gap between the ends of the flexible members which are fixed to each shaft.

Although the arrangement of the flexible members along a helical line on each shaft is preferred, it should be noted that it is also possible to arrange the flexible members along circles on each shaft or according to any other desired arrangement. It is also possible to arrange only the flexible members 7 of top shaft 16 along a helical line extending about this top shaft while the flexible members on the lower shaft 5 may be arranged along individual helical lines which extend through 360 and which are alternately of different directions.

The removal of bark is dependent upon the energy with which the chains '7 beat against the log. Wood possesses three types of resistance, as is well known, these resistances being against removal of wood in a lengthwise direction of a log, in a radial direction thereof, or in a direction tangential to the outer surface of the log. The resistance in the lengthwise or axial direction is the greatest, which must be taken into account when removing bark from the log. When removing bark in a direction transverse to that in which the wood fibers extend, only he resistance acting tangentially of the log must be overcome, and this resistance is relatively low. Therefore, it is best to remove the bark by applying substantially tangential, glancing blows which are produced by the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2 where the shafts and 16 are inclined with respect to each other and with respect to a log H.

The resistance of the wood acting against the blows of the flexible members is greater than that of the bark which has no fibrous structure. The force of the blows is therefore regulated so as to be great enough to overcome the resistance of the bark but so as to be too small to overcome the resistance of the wood. This regulation may be accomplished by using ciains of different weights or in a simpler way through properly choosing the speed of rotation of the shafts carrying the chains. If the resistance of the bark is taken to be 50 kg./cm. for example, and that of the wood 100 kg./cm. then the force of the blows should be great enough to overcome a resistance of 85 kg./cm. for example. It is necessary therefore to rotate the shafts 5 and 16 with a predetermined speed of rotation which is adjusted in accordance with the resistance of the wood and bark. The depth of the blows are then of no importance.

The two shafts or shaft means 5 and 16 may be arranged so that the space therebetween may be adjusted, and they are supported for rotation on a machine frame in such a way that their axes cross each other. The wood H is guided so as to move in the direction of the arrow 52 of Fig. l which also crosses both of the shafts 5 and 16.

The angle 13 between the shafts 5 and 16 is shown in the position of Fig. 1 to be 90, and the log H moves along a path which bisects this angle. With this arrangement the chains strike the log with blows which have a component transverse to the axis of the log and a component acting in the direction of arrow 52, so that the log is automatically rotated as well as fed through the apparatus by the blows of the chains. Thus, by properly adjusting the angle between the shafts 5 and 16, it is possible to automatically feed a log through the apparatus in such a way that it is completely decorticated after passing once through the machine.

If it is desired to increase the speed of movement of the log through the machine while decreasing the speed of rotation of the log, then the angle {3 between the shafts 5 and 16 is increased so that the component of the blows acting in the direction of arrow 52 are increased while the component of the blows acting transversely to the log axis is reduced. in the drawings the rotation of the shafts 5 and 16 respectively in the direction of arrows and 26 is illustrated, and p with the shafts rotating in these directions the log H rotates about its own axis in the direction of arrow 51 and moves through the machine in the direction of arrow 52.

The size of the angle with which the shafts cross each other is regulated according to the type of wood and bark as well as the diameter of the log. In order to be able to set the shafts at a desired angle with respect to each other, it is necessary to support the shafts 5 and 16 on suitable frames or the like for adjustable turning movement with respect to each other about a predetermined axis passing through the axes of both shafts and being normal to both of these shaft axes.

Machines capable of accomplishing this result are shown in Figs. 3-6, the machine of Figs. 5 and 6 being slightly different from that of Figs. 3 and 4. Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that the apparatus of the invention includes a first support means having a circular frame 1 located about a predetermined axis. This support means may be carried by wheels 2 (Fig. 4), if desired. To the inner surface of the circular frame 1 there are connected a pair of brackets 3 and 3a, forming part of the support means, and bearings 4 and 4a are respectively mounted on the brackets 3 and 3a and support the shaft 5 for rotation about its axis. In the particular example illustrated, a pair of flywheels 6 are fixed to the shaft 5 for rotation therewith. The flexible beating members 7 are fixed to the shaft 5 between the flywheels 6 and are arranged along a helical line passing about the outer surface of shaft 5, or along circles or according to any other desired arrangement, as mentioned above, and the flexible member 7 may be removably connected to the shaft 5 in any desired manner. In order to decrease the wear of the flexible members 7 at the ends thereof fixed to the shaft 5, the first link of the chain 7 which is fixed to the shaft 5 lies flat against the shaft 5 and is fastened thereto.

in accordance with the purposes for which the machine is designed, the flexible members 7, instead of being in the form of chains, may also take the form of wire cables or any other flexible members which because of centrifugal force become taut upon rotation of the shaft 5. It is also possible to connect end beating members to the ends of the flexible members, such end members being of any suitable shape and material. For example, these end members may take the form of metal balls, clubs, or the like. In order to remove bark from logs of widely differing types, the flexible members may be made of bendable steel wire cables or the like or from a suitable synthetic material provided with loose ends or with chains or other flexible heating elements.

In the illustrated example, the shaft 5 is fixed to a V-belt pulley 8 located opposite another V-belt pulley 9 fixed to the motor 16 to be driven thereby, so that the parts 81t'), with suitable V-belts, form a drive for rotating the shaft 5. The motor 10 is located within and fixed to the frame 1 of the support means.

The top end of the frame 1 is provided with an annular flange 11 on which a second support means is located, this second support means being formed by a pair of circular frames 12 and 13 similar to frame 1 and the frame 13 being mounted on the frame 12 which rests on the flange 11. The frame 1 as well as the frames 12, 13 are located about a predetermined axis which is normal to the axis of shaft 5. The frame 12 has a lower flange engaging the flange 11, and the two support means 1 and 12, 13 may be turned with respect to each other. These support means may be fixed in an adjusted position by bolts or the like 12 passing through an opening in one flange and a slot 13' in the other, and it is also possible to provide any known apparatus for fine adjustment of the two support means with respect to each other.

The upper support means 12, 13 is provided with a pair of brackets 14, 14a corresponding to the brackets 3, 3a and carrying a pair of bearings 15, 15a (Fig. 4) which turnably support the shaft 16 for rotation about its axis. This shaft 16 is provided with flexible beating members 7 in the same way as shaft 5 and is also provided with a pair of flywheels 6 between which the flexible members 7 are located. A l-belt pulley 17 is fixed to the shaft 16 and is connected through suitable V-belts with the V-belt pulley 18 fixed to the motor 19 to be driven thereby for rotating the shaft 16 about its axis. The motor 19 is fixed to the underside of the cover plate 20 of the machine, this cover plate being shown in Fig. 3 and omitted from Fig. 4.

With this arrangement it is possible to adjust the support means 1 and the support means 12, 13 with respect to each other so that any desired angle between shafts S and 16 may be provided. Thus, these Shafts may be parallel to each other or may cross each other at any angle. As was pointed out above, the size of this angle may be regulated to provide a faster log feed with a slower log rotation or a faster rotation with a slower feed. To fully -utilize the beating members 7, the shafts will cross each other at a relatively small angle which will provide a slow feeding of the log and a fast rotation thereof.

A circular frame 21 of iron, sheet metal, or other suitable material rests on the brackets 3 and 3a, although a different support for the frame 21 may be provided, if desired, and this frame 21 is turnable within the support means 1 and 12, 13 and about the axis normal to the axes of the shafts 5 and 16 and about which the pair of support means 1 and 12, 13 are located. This turnable frame 21 is provided with a guide means to guide a log through the machine so that the direction along which the log is fed may be adjusted with respect to the axes of shafts 5 and 16. Thus, it is possible to guide a log along a line bisecting the angle between shafts 5 and 16, as was mentioned above, or where these shafts are parallel to each other the log may be guided in a direction which is perpendicular to the axes of the logs or which makes any desired angle therewith. In order to make the frame 21 accessible for adjustment, a part of the frame 12 is formed with a cutout covered by the frame 21, this cutout being in the form of an annular slot 22, for example. As is apparent from Figs. 3 and 4, vertical reinforcements "are located between the outer annular flanges of frames 1, 12, and 13 so that the provision of an annular cutout in frame 12 will not cause the latter to collapse.

In the example, illustrated, the guide means connected to the circular frame 21 takes the form of a pair of pipes 23, although any other guide means such as sheet metal supports, guide rollers, and the like could be provided.

In order to simplify the machine, the beating force of the lower elements 7 attached to shaft 5 may be greater than that of the upper elements 7 to produce an upward component on the log for automatically raising the latter to a central position between the shafts 5 and 16. Such a higher beating force can be obtained, for example, by rotating the shafts 5 and 16 I at different speeds or by providing driving motors of different sizes. In such an arrangement, the pipes 23 of Fig. 4 suffice for guiding a log into and out of the machine. As is apparent from Fig. 4, the pipes 23 are angularly cut at their inner ends to provide opposite pointed end portions 24 on each pipe, the sides of these pointed end portions 24 corresponding to the angle between the shafts 5 and 16.

Where the angle between the shafts 5 and 16 is small, it is convenient to provide a bar or the like located out of the range of the flexible members 7 and carrying a plurality of guide rings or the like for the log. With such an arrangement the guide members may take the form of bent rods which are located in the region of the beating members. The series of flexible members extending along the shafts must be interrupted at the places where such guide members are located, and with such an arrangement it is unnecessary to support the log with stronger blows from the lower beating elements. By turning the bars on which the guide rods are located, it is possible to accommodate logs of different sizes.

An arrangement of this type is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 which show a machine having all the parts of the machine of Figs. 3 and 4 except the guide members 23 and which illustrate the shafts 5 and 16 crossing each other at a relatively small angle, as is most clearly shown in Fig. 5. The adjacent ends of the shafts 5 and 16 if projected on a horizontal plane would be located at only a few centimeters from each other with the setting of Figs. 5 and 6. The log H is located between the shafts 5 and 16 and has its bark removed by the action of the flexible members 7 during rotation of the shafts 5 and 16. -As is evident from Fig. 6, the log H is rotated in the direction of arrow 51 when the shafts 5 and 16 rotate in the direction of arrows and 26, respectively, and it will be evisecting this angle.

dent that the elements 7 move substantially transversely to .the length of the log. The angle between the log and the shafts 5 and 16 provides a forward component when the elements 7 strike the log to automatically feed the latter through the machine. It is possible to further influence the feeding of the log by changing the pitch of the helical line along which the elements 7 are fastened to each shaft 5 and 16. It is also possible to provide an automatic feeding derived from the force of the blows when the shafts 5 and 16 are parallel to each other by properly choosing the pitch of the helical line along which the flexible members are arranged.

A pair of bars 28 and 30 are located between the shafts 5 and 16 and out of the range of the flexible members 7, each of these bars having a circular cross section and passing through opposite openings formed in the frame 21 so as to be supported on the latter for turning movement. A plurality of upper guide rods 29 are fixed to the shaft 28 and are bent at an obtuse angle to provide each rod 29 with a free end portion 40 extending in the direction toward the bar 30, as is evident from Fig. 6. A plurality of lower guide rods 31 are fixed to the bar 3%) and are also bent at an obtuse angle to provide each rod 31 with a free end portion 41 extending toward the bar 28, these rods 29, 40 and 31, 41 being substantially V-shaped.

Fig. 5 illustrates how the rods 29, 40 alternate with the rods 31, 41 along the path through which the logs are guided. It is also evident from Fig. 5 that the series of flexible members 7 are interrupted to make room for the guide rods. Extensions 32 and 32a are respectively fixed to the bars 28 and 30 and extend downwardly therefrom, as shown in Fig. 6. These extensions turnably support a pair of nuts 33 and 33a, respectively. A spindle 34 is provided with threaded portions of the same hand in threaded engagement with the nuts 33 and 33a and has a handle 3'7 connected thereto so that the spindle 34 may be rotated about its axis to move the nuts 33 and 33a simultaneously in either a direction 35 or a direction 36, as shown in Fig. 6. Thus, the bars 28 and 30 may be turned simultaneously either clockwise or counterclockwise to move the guide rods 29, 40 and 31, 41 toward or away from each other to increase or decrease the space therebetween to accommodate logs of different sizes and yet maintain the parallelism of the guide rods. Suitable stops may be provided to limit the size of the space between the rods 29, 40 and 31, 41.

As is evident from Fig. 6, the rod portions 29 and 31 make a predetermined angle with a horizontal plane located between shafts 5 and 16, the rod portions 29 extending upwardly and to the right while the rod portions 31 extend downwardly and to the left. Thus, the upper elements 7 urge a log downwardly to the left along the rod portions 31 while the lower elements 7 urge the log upwardly to the right along the rod portions 29. If the log should tend to become located mostly opposite the rod portions 40, then the predominating influence would be downwardly to the left, while the predominating influence is upwardly to the right if the log tends to become located mostly opposite the rod portions 41. Thus, the apparatus is capable of automatically locating a log being decorticated in a central position in the machine.

At relatively small angles between the shafts 5 and 16, it is possible to locate the guide means out of a path bi- With such an arrangement it is possible to rotate the entire machine through so that the axis about which the support means 1 and 12, 13 are located extends horizontally rather than vertically, and then log-contacting portions of the log guide means be located below the shafts 5 and 16 so that the beating force could be absorbed by the rods or the like forming the log guide means.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of apparatus for processing logs and the like differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in apparatus for decorticating logs and the like, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the function of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended with the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for processing logs and the like, comprising, in combination, first support means; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first support means; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said first shaft; first drive means mounted on said first support means and being operatively connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means connected to said first support means for adjustable movement with respect to the same; a second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said second support means and being located opposite said first shaft; a plurality of second flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said second shaft; and second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said shafts with respect to each other.

2. Apparatus for processing logs and the like, comprising, in combination, first support means; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first support means; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said first shaft; first drive means mounted on said first support means and being operatively connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means connected to said first support means for adjusta .le movement with respect to the same; a second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said second support means and being located opposite and spaced from said first shaft; a plurality of second flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said second shaft; and second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said shafts with respect to each other.

3. Apparatus for processing logs and the like, comprising, in combination, first support means; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first support means; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being arranged along a helical path on said outer surface of said first shaft; first drive means mounted on said first support means and being operatively connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means connected to said first support means for adjuste moven -nt with respect to the same; a second shaft mounted for roation about its axis on said second support means and being located opposite said first shaft; a plurality of second flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being arranged along a helical path on the outer surface of said second shaft; and second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said "ts with pest to each other.

a. Apparatus for processing logs and the like, comprising, in combination, first support means; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first sup- Iort means; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being distributed over me outer surface of said first shaft; first drive means mounted on said first support means and being operatively connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means connected to said first support means for adjustable movement with respect to the same; a second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said second support means and being located opposite and spaced from said first shaft; a plurality of second flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said second shaft; second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said shafts with respect to each other; and guide means mounted on one of said support means for guiding a log between said shafts.

5. Apparatus for prose sing logs and the like, comprising, in combination, first support means located about a predetermined axis and having an end face located in a plane normal to said axis; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first support means, said first shaft axis being normal to said predetermined axis; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said first shaft; first drive means mounted on said first support means and being operatively connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means also located about said predetermined axis and having an end face enga ing said end f.-.ce of said first support means, at least one of said first and second support means being adjustably movable about said predetermined nxis with respect to the other of said support means; a second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said second support means and being located opposite and spaced from said first shaft, said second shaft axis also being normal to said predetermined axis; a plurality of second flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said second shaft; and second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said shafts with respect to each other.

6. Apparatus for processing logs and the like, comprising, in combination, first support means located about a predetermined axis and having an end face located in a plane normal to said axis; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first support means, said first shaft axis being normal to said predetermined axis and located substantially in said plane; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said first shaft; first drive means mounted on said first support means and being operatively connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means connected to said first support means for adjustable movement with respect to the same; a second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said second support means and being located opposite and spaced from said first shaft; a plurality of second flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said second shaft; second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said shafts with respect to each other; and guide means mounted on one of said support means for guiding a log along a line located substantially midway between said shafts.

7. Apparatus for processing logs and the like, cornprising, in combination, first support means located about a predetermined axis and having an end face located in a plane normal to said axis; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first support means, said first shaft axis being normal to said predetermined axis and located substantially in said plane; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said first shaft; first drive meansvmounted on said first support means and being operatively connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means connected to said first support means for adjustable movement with respect to the same; a second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said second support means and being located opposite and spaced from said first shaft; a plurality of second flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said second shaft; second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said shafts with respect to each other; and guide means mounted on one of said support means for guiding a log along a line located substantially midway between said shafts, said guide means including a frame turnably carried by said one support means for turning movement about said predetermined axis.

8. Apparatus for processing logs and the like, comprising, in combination, first support means located about a predetermined axis and having an end face located in a plane normal to said axis; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first support means, said first shaft axis being normal to said predetermined axis and located substantially in said plane; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said first shaft; first drive means mounted on said first support means and being operatively connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means connected to said first support means for adjustable movement with respect to the same, a second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said second support means and being located opposite and spaced from said first shaft; a plurality of second flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said second shaft; second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and'second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said shafts with respect to each other; and guide means mounted on one of said support means for automatically guiding a log along a line lo: cated substantially midway between said shafts.

9. Apparatus for processing logs and the like, comprising, in combination, first support means located about a predetermined axis and having an end face located in a plane normal to said axis; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first support means, said first shaft axis being normal to said predetermined axis and located substantially in said plane; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said first shaft; first drive means mounted on said first support means and being operatively connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means connected to said first support means for adjustable movement with respect to the same; a second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said second support means and being located opposite and spaced from said first shaft; a plurality of second flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said second shaft; second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said shafts with respect to each other; guide means mounted on one of said support means for automatically guiding a log along a line located substantially midway between said shafts; and adjusting means operatively connected to said guide means to adjust the latter for accommodating logs of different sizes.

10. Apparatus for processing logs and the like, comprising, in combination, first support means located about a predetermined axis and having an end face located in a plane normal to said axis; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first support means, said first shaft axis being normal to said predetermined axis and located substantially in said plane; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being distributed over spaced portions of said outer surface of said first shaft; first drive means mounted on said first support means and being operatively connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means connected to said first support means for adjustable movement with respect to the same; a second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said second support means and being located opposite and spaced from said first shaft; a plurality of second flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being distributed over spaced portions of said outer surface of said second shaft; second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said shafts with respect to each other; and guide means mounted on one of said support means for automatically guiding a log along a line located substantially midway between said shafts, said guide means comprising a plurality of first elongated guide members respectively located opposite parts of said first shaft located between said spaced portions thereof and a plurality of second elongated guide members respectively located opposite parts of said second shaft located between said spaced portions thereof.

11. Apparatus for processing logs and the like, comprising, in combination, first support means located about a predetermined axis and having an end face located in a plane normal to said axis; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first support means, said first shaft axis being normal to said predetermined axis and located substantially in said plane; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being distributed over spaced portions of said outer surface of said first shaft; first drive means mounted on said first support means and being operative-1y connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means connected to said first support means for adjustable movement with respect to the same; a second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said second support means being located opposite and spaced from said first shaft; a pinrality of second flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being distributed over spaced portions of said outer surface of said second shaft; second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said shafts with respect to each other; and guide means mounted on one of said support means for automatically guiding a log along a line located substantially midway between said shafts, said guide means comprising a frame carried by one of said support means, a pair of parallel bars turnably mounted for rotation about their axes, respectively, on said frame and being located in a plane extending parallel to said end face and substantially midway between said shafts, a plurality of first elongated guide members fixed to one of said bars and being respectively located opposite parts of said first shaft located between said spaced portions thereof, a plurality of second elongated guide members fixed to the other of said bars and being respectively located opposite parts of said second shaft located between said spaced portions thereof, said first guide members extending toward said other bar and said second guide members extending toward said one bar; and adjusting means operatively connected to said bars for simultaneously turning the same either clockwise or counterclockwise respectively about said axes thereof.

12. Apparatus for processing logs and the like, comprising, in combination, first support means located about a predetermined axis and having an end face located in a plane normal to said axis; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first support means, said first shaft axis being normal to said predetermined axis and located substantially in said plane; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being distributed over spaced portions of said outer surface of said first shaft; first drive means mounted on said first support means and being operatively connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means connected to said first support means for adjustable movement with respect to the same; a second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said second support means and being located opposite and spaced from said first shaft; a plurality of second flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being distributed over spaced portions of said outer surface of said second shaft; second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said shafts with respect to each other; and guide means mounted on one of said support means for automatically guiding a log along a line located substantially midway between said shafts, said guide means comprising a frame carried by one of said support means, a pair of parallel bars turnably mounted for rotation about their axes, respectively, on said frame and being located in a second plane extending parallel to said end face and substantially midway between said shafts, a plurality of first elongated guide members fixed to one of said bars and being respectively located opposite parts of said first shaft located between said spaced portions thereof, a plurality of second elongated guide members fixed to the other of said bars and being respectively located opposite parts of said second shaft located between said spaced portions thereof, said first guide members being substantially V-shaped, being located on one side of said second plane, and each having a free end portion directed toward said other bar, and said second guide members being substantially V-shaped, being located on an opposite side of said second plane, and each having a free end portion directed toward said one bar; and adjusting means operatively connected to said bars for simultaneously turning the same either clockwise or counterclockwise respectively about said axes thereof.

13. Apparatus for processing logs and the like, comprising, in combination, first support means located about a predetermined axis and having an end face located in a plane normal to said axis; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first support means, said first shaft axis being normal to said predetermined axis and located substantially in said plane; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being distributed over spaced portions of said outer surface of said first shaft; first drive means mounted on said first support means and being operatively connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means connected to said first support means for adjustable movement with respect to the same; a second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said second support means and being located opposite and spaced from said first shaft; a plurality of second flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being distributed over spaced portions of said outer surface of said second shaft; second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said shafts with respect to each other; and guide means mounted on one of said support means for automatically guiding a log along a line located substantially midway between said shafts, said guide means comprising a frame carried by one of said support means, a pair of parallel bars turnably mounted for rotation about their axes, respectively, on said frame and being located in a plane extending parallel to said end face and substantially midway between said shafts, a plurality of first elongated guide members fixed to one of said bars and being respectively located opposite parts of said first shaft located between said spaced portions thereof, a plurality of second elongated guide members fixed to the other of said bars and being respectively located opposite parts of said second shaft located between said spaced portions thereof, said first guide members extending toward said other bar and said second guide members extending toward said one bar; and adjusting means operatively connected to said bars for simultaneously turning the same either clockwise or counterclockwise respectively about said axes thereof, said adjusting means comprising a pair of extensions respectively fixed to and extending from said bars and being located opposite each other, a pair of nuts turnably mounted in said extensions respectively and being located opposite each other, and a spindle having threaded portions of the same hand respectively in threaded engagement with said nuts so that said bars are turned about their axes, respectively, upon rotation of said spindle.

14. Apparatus for processing logs and the like, cornprising, in combination, .rst support means located about a predetermined axis and having an end face located in a plane normal to said axis; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first support means, said first shaft axis being normal to said predetermined axis and located substantially in said plane; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being distributed over spaced portions of said outer surface of said first shaft; first drive means mounted on said first support means and being operatively connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means connected to said first support means for adjustable movement with respect to the same; a second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said second support means and being located opposite and spaced from said first shaft; a plurality of second flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being distributed over spaced portions of said outer surface of said second shaft; second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said shafts with respect to each other; and guide means mounted on one of said support means for automatically guiding a log along a line located substantially midway between said shafts, said guide means comprising a frame carried by one of said support means, a pair of parallel bars turnably mounted for rotation about their axes, re-

spectively, on said frame and being located in a second plane extending parallel to said end face and substantially midway between said shafts, a plurality of first elongated guide members fixed to one of said bars and being re spectively located opposite parts of said first shaft located between said spaced portions thereof, a plurality of second elongated guide members fixed to the other of sa d bars and being respectively located opposite parts of said second shaft located between said spaced portions thereof, said first guide members being substantially V-shaped, being located on one side of said second plane, and each having a free end portion directed toward said other bar, and said second guide members being substantially V- shaped, being located on an opposite side of said second plane, and each having a free end portion directed toward said one bar; and adjusting means operatively connected to said bars for simultaneously turning the same either clockwise or counterclockwise respectively about said axes thereof, said adjusting means comprising a pair of extensions respectively fixed to and extending from said bars and being located opposite each other, a pair of nuts turnably mounted in said extensions respectively and being located opposite each other, and a spindle having threaded portions of the same hand respectively in threaded engagement with said nuts so that said bars are turned about their axes, respectively, upon rotation of said spindle.

15. Apparatus for processing logs and the like, comprising, in combination, first support means located about a predetermined axis and having an end face located in a plane normal to said axis; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first support means, said first shaft axis being normal to said predetermined axis; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being distributed over the outer surid face of said first shaft; first drive means mounted on said first support means and being operatively connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means also located about said predetermined fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said second shaft; second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for T0- tating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said shafts with respect to each other; and guide means mounted on said first support means for guiding a log along a line located substantially midway between said shafts, said guide means including a frame turnably carried by said first support means.

16. Apparatus for processing logs and the like, comprising, in combination, first support means located about a predetermined axis and having an end face located in a plane normal to said axis; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first support means, said first shaft axis being normal to said predetermined axis; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said first shaft; first drive means mounted on said first support means and being operatively connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means also located about said predetermined axis and having an end face engaging said end face of said first support means, at least one of said first and second support means being adjustably movable about said predetermined axis with respect to the other of said support means; a second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said second support means and being located opposite and spaced from said first shaft, said second shaft axis also being normal to said predetermined axis; a plurality of second flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said second shaft; second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said shafts with respect to each other; and guide means mounted on said first support means for guiding a log along a line located substantially midway between said shafts, said guide means including a frame turnably carried by said first support means, and formed with a pair of opposite openings through which a log is adapted to pass.

17. Apparatus for processing logs and the like, comprising, in combination, first support means located about a predetermined axis and having an end face located in a plane normal to said axis; a first shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said first support means, said first shaft axis being normal to said predetermined axis; a plurality of first flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said first shaft, said first flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said first shaft; first drive means mounted on said first support means and being operatively connected to said first shaft for rotating the latter about its axis; second support means also located about said predetermined axis and having an end face engaging said end face of said first support means, at least one of said first and second support means being adjustably movable about said predetermined axis with respect to the other of said support means; a second shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said second support means and being located opposite and spaced from said first shaft, said second shaft axis also being normal to said predetermined axis; a plurality of second flexible members each fixed at one end thereof to the outer surface of said second shaft, said second flexible members being distributed over the outer surface of said second shaft; second drive means mounted on said second support means and being operatively connected to said second shaft for rotating the latter about its axis, whereby said first and second support means may be adjusted with respect to each other to adjust the position of said shafts with respect to each other; and guide means mounted on said first support means for guiding a log along a line located substantially midway between said shafts, said guide means including a frame turnably carried by said first support means, and formed with a pair of opposite openings through which a log is adapted to pass, said guide means including a pair of tubular guide members fixed to said frame and respectively extending through said openings thereof.

18. In an apparatus for processing logs and the like, in combination, guide means for guiding a log along a predetermined log path; shaft means mounted for rotation about an axis spaced from said predetermined log path and disposed at an angle thereto; and a plurality of elongated flexible beating members having one of their ends mounted on said shaft means, said mounted ends being arranged adjacent to each other along a curved path extending about the outer surface of said shaft means so that the free ends of said beating members extend into said predetermined log path, whereby rotation of said shaft means will result in beating by said beating members of a log guided by said guide means along said predetermined log path so as to cause simultaneous rotation of the log about its axis and its movement along said predetermined log path.

19. In an apparatus for processing logs and the like, as set forth in claim 18, drive means operatively associated with said shaft means for rotating the same about the axis thereof.

20. In an apparatus for processing logs and the like, the combination set forth in claim 18, said angle being an acute angle.

21. In an apparatus for processing logs and the like, the combination set forth in claim 18, said curved path extending about the outer surface of said shaft means being a helical path extending through an angular distance of at least 360 about the axis of said shaft means.

22. In an apparatus for processing logs and the like,

in combination, guide means for guiding a log along a predetermined log path containing a predetermined plane; first shaft means mounted on one side of said predetermined plane for rotation about an axis disposed at a first angle to said predetermined log path; second shaft means mounted on the other side of said predetermined plane for rotation about an axis disposed at a second angle to said predetermined log path; and a plurality of first and second elongated flexible beating members having one of their ends mounted on said first and second shaft means, said mounted ends being arranged adjacent to each other along first and second curved paths extending about the outer surfaces of said first and second shaft means, respectively, so that the free ends of said beating members extend into said predetermined log path, whereby rotation of said first and second shaft means will result in beating by said heating members of a log guided by said guide means along said predetermined log path so as to cause simultaneous rotation of the log about its axis and its movement along said predetermined log path.

23. ln an apparatus for processing logs and the like, as set forth in claim 22, drive means operatively associated with said first and second shaft means for rotating the same about the axcs thereof.

24. In an apparatus for processing logs and the like, the combination set forth in claim 22, said first and second angles being acute angles.

25. In an apparatus for processing logs and the like, the combination set forth in claim 22, said first and second angles being equal to each other.

26. In an apparatus for processing logs and the like, the combination set forth in claim 22, the axis of said first shaft means being disposed in a first angular direction with respect to said predetermined log path and the axis of said second shaft means being disposed in a second angular direction with respect to said predetermined log path, said second angular direction being opposite to said first angular direction.

27. in an apparatus for processing logs and the like, the combination set forth in claim 22, each of said first and second curved paths extending about the outer surfaces of said first and second shaft means being a helical path extending through an angular distance of at least 360 about the axes of said first and second shaft means, respectively.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,406,047 Mikshel -eb. 7, 1922 1,953,194 Sharkey Apr. 3, 1934 2,027,173 Jackson et al. Jan. 7, 1936 2,341,486 Swertfeger Feb. 8, 1944 2,461,924 Robertson Feb. 15, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 69,348 Sweden Sept. 22, 1928 514,037 Germany Dec. 6, 1930 117,415 Sweden Oct. 15, 1946 25,429 Finland Apr. 23, 1952 

